Writer : Peter Shaffer Direction : Sukrit Mahajan Cast : Arjun Kachroo, Ankita Podder, Varad Vishwas Salvekar, Vaishnavi Ratna Prashant, Zohra Mithani, Tushant Mattas, Lobsang Jimba Norbu
EQUUS (PLAYHOUSE PRODUCTION) Review
A fresh Indian cast. A newly opened venue. And a critically acclaimed text to perform.
The Mumbai premiere of EQUUS, Peter Shaffer's renowned psychological drama (Tony Award for Best Play), has all the right ingredients.
It's not every day that one gets to witness a world-famous 1970s play with over 1,000 successful Broadway performances and critical acclaim at the National Theatre. It's also rare to experience first-hand the iconic lines of a play, which have challenged actors like Daniel Radcliffe, Anthony Hopkins, and Richard Griffiths.
As you can imagine, the stakes for a new production of EQUUS are high. Garnering over Rs 2 lakhs from a crowdfunding campaign, the play has been brought to life in India by Playhouse Productions.
What's special about the play?
EQUUS tells the story of Alan Strang, a young man convicted of blinding six horses with a hoof pick.
Based on a real-life case, playwright Peter Shaffer's genius lies in transforming what could have been a small local news story into a brilliant psychological drama. The narrative unfolds from the perspective of Strang's psychiatrist, Dr. Martin Dysart, who delves into Alan's disturbed psyche to understand the reasons behind his violent act.
EQUUS explores complex themes of religion, mental illness, and the nature of human existence.
Sukrit Mahajan's EQUUS is a faithful reproduction of the original text. A notable aspect of the production is the director's effective use of shadows to navigate between flashback/dream sequences and the present reality of the characters.
The set design is minimal, facilitating smooth transitions between different locations and possibly reflecting Shaffer's admiration for Bertolt Brecht's style of theatre.
All the actors deliver strong performances. However, at times, the character accents can seem artificial or disjointed.
Arjun Kachroo brings a raw humanity to the role of Alan Strang, fully embracing a part that many actors would envy.
While critics have explored what makes EQUUS a brilliant piece of theatre, I would like to examine its relevance to contemporary Indian audiences.
Alan's worship of Equus, the imaginary god of horses, is a peculiar blend of obsession, eroticism, and his mother's religious indoctrination.
In a country with intense religious fervor, the play serves as a potent reminder of the dangers of fanaticism, especially for impressionable youth.
Beyond the religious angle, EQUUS is also vital in that it does not demonize Alan Strang but seeks to understand his mind, offering a comprehensive view of his vulnerabilities. This perspective can broaden discussions on mental illness, particularly in theatre and film.
EQUUS also critiques the vanity of Jodhpur polo and fashionable equestrian sports, which attempt to reduce horses "Strang's object of worship" to mere symbols of status.
While EQUUS is a psychological drama at its core, its underlying themes also provide a sharp critique of consumerist culture and deteriorating family values.
As a theatrical piece, EQUUS leaves its audience metaphorically tethered long after the performance. It is a must-watch for its intense emotional depth and its exploration of the conflict between societal norms and personal belief systems.
*Divyani has worked as a journalist for The Quint, where she was also among the Founding Team members. While there, she also hosted and produced a podcast and fronted several standups. She's also worked for The Times of India group. She's now a theatre and film actor.
